Looking for upcoming holiday events? The updated 2019 list is here! Are you trying to find winter and holiday activities and things to do in the San Francisco Bay Area? If you are in San Francisco with kids (or without!) and looking for holiday and winter activities – here are over 100 festive things to do! Chose a few or make this your family bucket list!
If you would like to stay up to date on events like this all year round, join our San Francisco Family Travel + Activities group! We have a weekly thread on all the special events in San Francisco! Some of the events in this post have not updated their 2019 dates/times yet, but we will be coming back to make updates periodically.
Want to know more about things to do in the San Francisco Bay Area? Read more here:
- 30+ Weekend Getaways and Day Trips from San Francisco
- 100+ RAINY & FOGGY DAY INDOOR ACTIVITIES IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA FOR KIDS
- 60+ kid-friendly wineries in and near San Francisco
- TOP 10+ THINGS TO DO THIS FALL IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA WITH KIDS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Special Holiday Museum Exhibits in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Holiday Lighting Ceremonies in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Holiday Tea Time in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Holiday Markets in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Holiday Special Events and Festivals in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Holiday Train Rides in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Holiday Lights and Displays in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Santa Encounters in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Ice Skating in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Holiday Shows in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Cut-Your-Own-Tree Farms in the San Francisco Bay Area
- New Year’s Events in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Chinese/Lunar New Year’s Events in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Rainy Day Activities in the San Francisco Bay Area
Special Holiday Museum Exhibits in the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco
- Travel from the North to the South Pole through snow flurries and ice skate at the ‘Tis the Season for Science at the Cal Academy of Science (Starting Nov. 22nd).
- The Walt Disney Museum will have an “immersive seasonal installation celebrating Walt’s family and love of trains” for Home for the Holidays at Carolwood. It’s a small exhibit, but it’s fun!
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- Home for the Holidays at Walt Disney Museum (2017)
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- Trains!
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- Santa at Walt Disney Museum (2016)
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- Winter train scene at Walt Disney Museum (2016)
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- First time Ice Skating! (Cal Academy)
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- Ice man is back! (Cal Academy)
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- Snow in San Francisco! (2016)
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- Snow flake (2016)
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- Holiday exhibit at Cal Academy (2016)
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- Reindeer sighting! (2016)
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- Reindeer Encounter! (2016)
North Bay
- Take in the winter small-town setting at the Holidays at Healdsburg Museum – The Greatest Toy Circus on Earth (Starting Nov. 29th)!
South Bay
- Enjoy the interactive and imagination-inducing light exhibits at IlluminOdyssey: A Winter Light Experience for Kids at the CuriOdyssey in San Mateo! (Starting Nov 9-Jan 5, 2020)
East Bay
- Celebrate the winter holidays of many cultures (Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Las Posadas, Diwali, and Chinese New Year) at Fairy Winterland at Fairyland in Oakland!
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- IlluniOdyssey for the win
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- Lighted Tree Forest at CuriOdyssey
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- Tents are always a good idea
Holiday Lighting Ceremonies in the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco
- Want to watch a lighting ceremony with sea lions and Disney characters? Check out the Pier 39 Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. (November 26-January 5, 2020)
- The mother of all tree and Menorah lighting ceremonies in San Francisco – Union Square Tree and Menorah Lighting. Will you be one of the ambitious and lucky ones to watch it from the comfort of the balcony at the Cheesecake Factory or one of the rooms at the Westin St. Francis? These places have one of the best views there. It won’t be holidays in San Francisco without checking this place out! (Friday, November 29, 2019, at 5:30 pm.)
- Celebrate the Lighting of the LeRoy King Carousel at the Children’s Creativity Museum. Or, take part in the festivities in the Yerba Buena Children’s Garden where there are carnival games, snow play, and a free lantern luminaries workshop!
- For a tree lighting with a hopeful message (we all need it these days) and musical performances by the Lesbian Gay Chorus of San Francisco and Lauren Meyer – go to the Rainbow World Tree of Hope lighting at Grace Cathedral. (December 10, 2019, at 6:30 pm.)
- A tree lighting with carolers, light refreshments, and kids activities – followed by a lantern-lit forest walk? Only at the Presidio Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony! Last year, this event sold out pretty quickly, so be sure to register early! (December 6, 2019)
- Go watch the annual Ghirardelli Square Tree and Menorah lighting while enjoying hot (Ghirardelli) chocolate! (Nov. 29th, 2019 at 4:00 pm)
- Into a more local lighting ceremony? Check out the choir, trains, Santa, and rides on police cars and bikes at SF Park and Rec Annual Tree Lighting at McLaren Lodge.
- Take part in a Chanukah tradition dating back to 1975 at the Chanukah Festival of Lights in Union Square. (Dec 2-9th)
- The Ritz-Carlton Tree Lighting Ceremony has an appearance from Santa! (Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, at 5:30 pm)
- Embarcadero Center Building Lighting Ceremony and Carnival is perfect for those parents that work in the area! Somehow get the kids over there to enjoy the festivities! (November 22)
- The Palace Hotel Tree Lighting benefits the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital.
- Westfield Mall holds an Upside Down Tree Lighting Ceremony usually each year. Also, Westfield Mall also has a Chanukah Festival of Lights.
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- Macy’s lit up
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- Family tree time
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- Holiday tree!
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- Train ride at McLaren Lodge Tree Lighting
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- Balloon animals at McLaren Lodge Tree Lighting
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- Caroling at McLaren Lodge Tree Lighting
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- Train by the tree (stays there throughout the season)
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- McLaren Lodge Tree Lighting
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- Riding in a police car!
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- High-Five with a polar bear
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- City Hall lit up
East Bay
- You will love wagon rides, beverages and treats, and traditional Christmas songs at this Benicia Holiday Open House and Tree Lighting!
- Ring in the holiday season with this waterfront tree lighting ceremony entertained by local musicians at the Jack London Square Tree Lighting in Oakland. (Nov. 22, 2019)
- It’s not exactly a tree “lighting”, but the Claremont in Berkeley will unveil a 6 foot tall Christmas Tree completely made out of chocolate and Rice Krispies– my mouth is already watering!
South Bay
- Join in an over-30-year-tradition in Downtown San Jose for the Christmas in the Park Tree Lighting. Festivities at this park will continue after the lighting all season long with over 60 musical and animated exhibits and lights, trains, and the enchanted forest of trees decorated by San Jose schools, community groups, and businesses.
- A little further down South, (but worth the visit) you can celebrate with carolers, reindeer, and Santa Claus at the Monterey Cannery Row Tree Lighting.
- Carolers from the Great Dickens Christmas Fair will be at the Tree Lighting Ceremony & Santa’s Arrival at Hillsdale Mall in San Mateo. (Nov. 29, 2019)North Bay
- Lighting ceremony like you are back in time: Horse-drawn carriages, a holiday concert by local school kids, fun crafts and photo with Santa at the Annual Windsor Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting. Windsor is such a cute town! We went there for a hot air balloon festival once – definitely a quaint weekend getaway spot! (December 6)
- Do you want a head start to the holiday cheer? Check out the Petaluma Tree Lighting Ceremony that happens the Sunday BEFORE Thanksgiving! (Nov 18)
North Bay
- Lighting ceremony like you are back in time: Horse-drawn carriages, a holiday concert by local school kids, fun crafts and photo with Santa at the Annual Windsor Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting. (Nov. 16, 2019) Windsor is such a cute town! We went there for a hot air balloon festival once – definitely a quaint weekend getaway spot!
- Check out the Petaluma Tree Lighting Ceremony that happens on Nov. 30th, 2019!
Holiday Tea Time in the San Francisco Bay Area
There are many more tea times than this in the San Francisco Bay Area, but these are kid-friendly!
San Francisco
- Tea time under the tree at a fancy hotel? Try the Crown and Crumpet Tea under the tree at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel! (Every weekend from Dec 7-Dec 29)
- Another fancy hotel favorite – Gingerbread Holiday Tea at the Fairmont San Francisco. (November 30- January 1st)
- A full buffet of tea sandwiches, scones, and petit fours along with tours of the mansion after the tea service – only at the Holiday Victorian Teas by the San Francisco Heritage. (December 13-15)
- Children’s Magical Tea at the Top of the Mark – Wendy the Whimsical Elf and cookie decoration station too!? Can’t-miss this one! (Fridays and Saturdays Nov. 29-30, Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21 and Thursday, Dec. 19 & 26)
- Teddy Bear Tea at the Ritz-Carlton San Francisco – Teddy bear cut out treats, elf, and a giant Teddy Bear. Includes a teddy bear gift and photo.
- The Palace Hotel offers so many different types of holiday tea – afternoon and special Santa Claus Tea, and more!
South Bay
- Young ladies and gentlemen ages 5-10 can enjoy tea seated in a private room while making ornaments and decorating gingerbread men at the Christmas Fairy Tea Party at Lisa’s Tea Treasures in Los Altos.
- Heritage Holiday Champagne Tea at Pacific Hotel in San Jose (Dec 14)
North Bay
- Toy Box Tea at Falkirk Cultural Center (Dec 14 &15, 2019)
- Teddy Bear Tea a la Petit Jardin.
East Bay
- Tea surrounded by Christmas trimmings and Christmas menu at Holiday Tea at the English Rose. (Nov 29-Dec 28)
- Teddy Bear Tea Party in Benicia at the Camellia Tea Room.
- Claremont Club & Spa in Berkeley offers tea with the views of the Bay! (Dec 7- 28)
- Victorian Tea at Shadelands Ranch Museum in Walnut Creek.
Holiday Markets in the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco
- TreasureFest – Snovember Holiday Market! (Nov 23-24)
North Bay
- Muir Beach Holiday Art Fair with more than 25 artists and food!
- Petaluma Christmas Crafts Fair (Nov 23)
East Bay
- Benicia Christmas Parade and Holiday Market will have dancers, Santa Claus, and handcrafted arts and crafts as well as delicious foods! (December 6)
- Good cheer, good music, food and arts and crafts by Northern California’s finest artists – sign us up at Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair. (Weekends in December starting the 14th)
- Urban Air Market: Holiday Show at Jack London Square will have 100+ local and sustainable vendors for ethically made gifts. Food trucks, patio bar, and photo booth make fun for all ages! (Dec.3)
While you’re out and about enjoying time with your loved ones this season, consider having a fun and festive photoshoot! Check out Emily Jenks Photography and send me a message. I’d love to help make this season even sweeter for you by capturing these special holiday moments. Mention this blog to receive a 10% discount!
Holiday Special Events and Festivals in the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco
- Cable Car Caroling – a 33-year-old tradition in San Francisco which is a multicultural event with Hispanic Christmas carols and Hanukkah songs with a great cause bringing holiday cheer to isolated older adults and adults with disabilities. (December 7th)
- Holiday Party and Shopping Night at the Exploratorium is a member-only event where they will have festive activities and shopping night – hands-on tinkering, live music, and light installations! (Dec 5th)
- Members-only holiday fun at the Cal Academy! Holiday Night at the Cal Academy of Science brings special treats to members. Last year, they had cookie decorating and the entire place open to just members!
- Holiday Caroling Party at Little Mission Studio brings you performance by Little Mission Chorus and Little Mission Singers then caroling through the Mission at local restaurants, businesses, and few festively decorated houses. (December 10th)
- SF Zoo Lights gives you a whole new look at the zoo with lights, snow, reindeer and Santa Claus! (Reindeer Romp starts Nov 17th – January 1st)
- Enjoy a festive buffet, and visit from Santa at Holiday Open House at Haas-Lilienthal House (December 8).
- Santa Paws is Coming to Town! Bring your doggie (or doggie loving kids) to Union Square for a chance to take pictures with Santa, mini-horse and LiLou the pig!
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- Carolers at Members-Only night at Cal Academy
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- First cookie decorating ever!
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- Cookie Decorating at Members-Only night at Cal Academy
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- Reindeer at night at Cal Academy.
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- Snow at Zoo Lights at SF Zoo
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- Reindeer at SF ZooLights
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- SF ZooLights family picture!
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- Polar Bear at SF Zoo for the winter
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- Giant Teddy Bear at SF ZooLights
South Bay
- Holiday Festival of Dance in San Mateo transforms San Mateo High School gym into a holiday theatrical production with lighting, costumes, and music! (Dec 14 & 15)
- Great Dickens Christmas Fair is our yearly tradition. The only place in the Bay Area to time warp into streets of London Victorian time. Dance parties, pubs and plays all under one roof! Read our in-depth review of the Dickens Fair so you know what to expect!
- California’s Great America Winterfest transforms the park into a winter wonderland! (Nov 29-Dec 31)
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- Christmas card, done! LOL (Dickens Fair – 2017)
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- Dancing boys (Dickens Fair 2017)
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- Peek-a-boo at Dickens Fair 2017
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- Is it too much to ask for everyone to look at the camera…? (Dickens Fair 2017)
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- Dancers at Dickens Fair (2016)
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- Watching carolers at the Dickens Fair (2016)
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- Dickens Fair! (2016)
North Bay
- Family-friendly holiday event at a winery? Sign us up!! West Wines Scandinavian Christmas in the Tasting Room in Healdsburg will have candies and cookies for the kids and sidewalk crayons while the winery shows you how Swedish celebrate Christmas! Hint: Glögg (mulled wine) will be served. (Nov 29-Dec 1)
- Snow sledding, parade, and other kids’ activities at San Rafael Parade of Lights and Winter Wonderland. (Nov 29)
- Fire up your competitive side at Gingerbread House Competition and Tour in Sausalito. (Dec 1-31st)
- Free parking on the streets of Sausalito for Holiday Shopping at Sausalito Downtown so you can get your shopping spree on without worrying about a parking ticket! (Starting Dec 1st)
- All-day festivities start with an art and craft sale, choir, bands, Candy-land games, horse-drawn wagon rides and Santa arriving on a Firetruck – then tree lighting to top it off? No time for naps on this day at the Tiburon Holiday Festival. (Dec 7th)
- Check out how the people in Victorian times decorated for the holidays at Luther Burbank Home and Gardens Holiday Open House.
- Sausalito Winterfest will have a lighted boat parade and fireworks! (December 14)
- The lighting of the Snowman in Sonoma will have lit up snowman at the Cornerstone Gardens. Check it out while you wine taste! (Dec 7)
- Petaluma also has a Lighted Boat Parade at the Petaluma Turning Basin. (Dec 7)
East Bay
- Tot-friendly games (snowflake toss, windy parachute, pin the nose on the snowman) are some of the fun things you can do at the Tots Winter Carnival at the Live Oak Social Hall in Berkeley!
- Food, music, games, snow play, Santa and parade of lighted boats at the Winter on the Waterfront – Lighted Boat Parade by Berkeley Yacht Club. (Dec 14th)
- Floating light parade anyone? Don’t miss this hidden gem – Discovery Bay Christmas Boat Parade! (Dec 8)
- Festively lit gondola right to see the entire Bay Area? New laser light shows and thousands of holiday lights – only at the Oakland ZooLights! (December 6-31, 2019 | January 1-5, 2020)
- The world’s largest theme park will have millions (!!) of lights, holiday entertainment, and seasonal treats. Don’t miss the Santa village too at Holiday in the Park at Six Flags the Discovery Kingdom! (Nov 16-Jan 1)
Sacramento
We know, Sacramento isn’t technically the Bay Area, but these events are just too good not to include on our list!
- Theatre of Lights at Old Sacramento – watch Santa come to life where the historical district street turns into a theater! 20 min production of “Twas the Night Before Christmas”. (Nov 29-Dec 24)
- Walk throughout this holiday festival and multi-cultural celebration with illuminated landscapes celebrating holidays around the world! Ice skating and a full carnival with rides and delicious international cuisine! Only at the Global Winter Wonderland at Sacramento Expo Center. (Nov 23 – Jan 6)
- Tree Lighting Ceremony at Old Sacramento (Nov 27)
That look when you see Santa for the first time at Theatre of Lights
Holiday Train Rides in the San Francisco Bay Area
South Bay
- Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train will have vintage excursion cars adorned with thousands of lights and sing carols, sip on hot spiced cider and visits from Santa!
- Ride the Roaring Camp’s daytime steam train to Bear Mountain, and go for a walk among decorated holiday trees while sipping on hot cider at the Roaring Camp Railroad Holiday Tree Walk!
- Start with a menorah lighting at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and get on board a 1-hour train ride adorned with thousands of lights and Chanukah decorations on Chanukah Train at Roaring Camp Railroad, Santa Cruz.
North Bay
- Santa Wine Train in Napa Valley. Wine and Santa just go well together. Hot cocoa and baked cookies, games, sing-alongs, and characters to entertain your little one make it a great way to spend a day. This train is one of our favorites (not just because it involves wine… but that’s a big part of it). 🙂 Check out our in-depth review of this train so you know what to expect!
East Bay
Your local favorite train in the park will be all lit up for WinterFest at Tilden Park Steam Train. (TBD)
Ride the train at Oakland Zoo for a fun time at the zoo after dark at Oakland Zoo Lights! (December 6-31, 2019 | January 1-5, 2020)
Niles Canyon or Sunol – in Fremont you can ride an hour-long round-trip train through Niles Canyon Railway Train of Lights, filled with refreshments, music and cheer aboard train cars decorated with lights. (Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during the holiday season- except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day).
Sacramento
- Tickets sell out fast for the Polar Express Train by California Railroad Museum – But we are all over an event where you get to wear your PJs in public and get on board to meet Santa and other characters! Purchase your tickets sometime in late September/October – these sell out fast! Read our in-depth guide for more tips on when and how to buy tickets, what to bring, and what to expect! (Nov 29-Dec 22)
Holiday Lights and Displays in the San Francisco Bay Area
Most of these will go up later in November or early in December if no specific dates are posted!
San Francisco
- The Civic Center will have a Winter-Themed Park near City Hall! You can purchase tickets there, but might want to purchase them online just in case! (November 22, 2019-Jan 5, 2020)
- Happier Holidays at Pier 39 – their 60 foot Christmas tree and swirling lights will be up! (November 26, 2019-Jan 5, 2020)
- Warm your hearts with the SF SPCA & Macy’s Holiday Window Unveiling to see the adorable and adoptable animals! Celebrations with a special performance by the De Marillac Academy Choir and partnership with Snoopy will surely get your kids excited! (November 16th)
- The Gingerbread House at the Fairmont is huge and impressive! There are signs that ask kids not to eat the house, but when we were there, I think every kid at least licked it or tried to pick a part of the house (Henry may or may not have been one of them…) You know what sounds amazing? They are starting a new service where you can rent the gingerbread house for private dining! (Opening November 30)
- Rent out the Love Tour VW van for a Holiday Lights Tour – how much more San Francisco holidays can it get? (Nov 25-Dec 30)
- A list of lights and displays of San Francisco won’t be complete without a mention of the Tom and Jerry’s House (3650 21st Street). It’s insane. So many things to look at – including a roller coaster set and the history of how this decoration started. A must for the holidays in San Francisco! (Santa makes an appearance too.)
- Union Street Holiday Lights kicks off starting the Fantasy of Lights. Validated parking (yay), store open houses with refreshments and evening shopping and of course, holiday lights! The event will also have jugglers, live ponies dressed as reindeer, face painters, balloon artists, costumed characters, singers and live entertainment – Santa himself too.
- Upside Down Christmas Tree at Westfield is gorgeous and cannot be missed while you get your holiday shopping done. (Starts December 6)
- Westin St. Francis Castle and Train is also our annual tradition. The castle is made out of sugar! (Nov 6-Jan 20)
- Illuminate SF – 37 installations, 17 neighborhoods, 34 artists and 2 FREE light art tours. Can you check off all 37 spots this year? 🙂
South Bay
- Parkway Estates Lights at 501 Woodside Ct. (off Chestnut) in South San Francisco- this area has some of the best holiday lights around! Nearly 100 residents light up their homes. It can get crowded so the best way to look at them is on foot.
- You can walk or drive through the Fantasy of Lights in Los Gatos. Make sure to pre-purchase your tickets! (Dec 7&8 – Walkthrough, and Dec 10 – Dec30 drive through)
- San Jose’s Christmas in the Park is a free community space filled with holiday cheer – like lots of decorated trees and holiday displays! (November 29-December 25)
North Bay
- Sebastopol Holiday Home Tour and Artisan Boutique have 5 decorated homes and a historic school. Each place displays holiday spirit in its own unique way. (Dec 13-14)
- Driving Tour-City of Lights in Petaluma – Maps are available through Petaluma Visitors Center.
East Bay
- Get in the holiday spirit by seeing the Victorian-inspired Patterson House all lit up and fully decorated for the holidays at Christmas Evening Open House at The Patterson House in Freemont. (Dec 7th)
- Widmer-World in Pleasanton is a local display with a punch! This place has almost an acre of holiday lights and something new will be added this year! (TBD)
Santa Encounters in the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco
- Go to the 7th floor of Macy’s Union Square to check out Santaland!
- Want to experience what it’s like to stay where Santa and Mrs. Claus stay when they are in town? Santa Suite at the Fairmont San Francisco is where you can experience all of what Santa does! Starting at $1599.00 per night. (Dec 1 – 29)
- Probably our favorite place to get photos with Santa since it’s pretty low key and you can make reservations (pictures from the past 3 years lol)! Santa at Stonestown Mall. (Nov 10-Dec 24)
South Bay
- Santa loves to shop and have breakfast at the Stanford Shopping Center! (Dec 14)
- Santa and California Pizza Kitchen? Sign us up. Hillsdale Mall is hosting Santa for breakfast there. Check out their other events like Gingerbread House Decorating too! (Dec 7)
North Bay
- A chance to have breakfast with Santa before he gears up for his Christmas tour at the Sausalito Yacht Club. (December 7)
- Meet Santa along with reindeer Snowflake and Blizzard at the Bay Area Discovery Museum! (Dec 14-15)
- Did you know that Santa’s go on River Boats too? Find him at Petaluma Santa’s Riverboat Arrival! (Nov 30)
East Bay
- Visit Santa at Chloe’s Closet in Albany while you do your shopping! Free photo ops and treats! (three weekends in December noon to 4pm)!
- Santa is coming to the Frances Albrier Auditorium in Berkeley. Gifts, snacks, and signing! (Dec 14)
- Whoville Brunch with Santa at the Claremont in Berkeley (Dec 25)
Ice Skating in the San Francisco Bay Area
Most ice skating rinks open at the beginning of November, so these places are the earliest places to experience the “winter” activities!
San Francisco
- Bay Area’s largest outdoor ice rink on a beautiful city setting, easily accessible before or after you hit up the shops at the Ferry Building at Embarcadero Center Holiday Ice Rink! (Nov 6)
- Regain a little romance skating under the most famous tree in San Francisco (you can do it, even with kids) at the Union Square Ice Skating Rink. (Opening Nov 6th)
- For the first year ever (2019), City Hall will have an ice skating rink! (Open Nov 30-Jan 6th)
South Bay
- Downtown on Ice in San Jose is supported by Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream Foundation and you can skate among gorgeously lit palm trees.
- San Mateo on Ice is “Bay Area’s Largest Outdoor Skating” (similar to the Embarcadero Center tagline :)) open to all ages!
- Winter Lodge in Palo Alto is a “family tradition since 1956“ check their schedule for “open” or “family” sessions for when you can go with kids all ages!
North Bay
- Marin on Ice in San Rafael is open to all ages, offering daily recreational ice skating!
East Bay
- The name gives you a hint on the size of the rink, The Little Ice Rink in Alameda has “Bobby” the seal skating aid which helps you balance if you aren’t comfortable on the ice.
- Walnut Creek on Ice has gliders to rent for your little ones who can’t quite balance on their own.
Holiday Shows in the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco
- A Charlie Brown Christmas at the SF Symphony was a hit with our 2.5-year-old, Henry! We didn’t expect to stay the entire show, but he did! (Having 2 Charlie Brown cookies may have had something to do with it…) Read our in-depth guide to this show so you know what to expect. (TBD)
- The Nutcracker. This is the normal “adult” version by the SF Ballet, but it’s one of the more kid-friendly ballets out there! They even have a family viewing area!! (They do recommend that kids be at least 5 to attend this event.)
- San Francisco’s Youth Ballet’s The Nutcracker. This is super kid-friendly. Henry went when he was about 18 months old. Yes, we stepped out a lot, but there was plenty of space to roam around outside and no one was bothered! (Dec 7-8)
- Dance-Along Nutcracker: Nutcrackers in Space is at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. This is on our list to check out this year! (December 7-8)
- This ballet production is usually more adult-oriented, but kids who can be entertained for about 2 hours may love The Christmas Ballet by Sumin. They usually have multiple locations throughout the bay area all season long! (Various locations in the Bay Area in Nov and Dec)
South Bay
- My Very First Nutcracker is a short, one-hour ballet by the San Jose Nutcracker where they welcome toddlers. Regular tickets start at just $12.50! (December 13-24)
- Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker in Cupertino (Dec 5)
- Snow Queen by Bayer Ballet Company in Mountain View (Dec 14 & 15)
- Joy! A Holiday Show in San Jose (TBD)
- Hip-Hop Nutcracker in Redwood City (TBD)
North Bay
- Sophie and the Enchanted Toyshop in San Rafael by Marin Dance Theater (Dec 21)
- Marin Ballet’s Nutcracker in San Rafael (Dec 14-15)
- Stapleton Ballet’s The Nutcracker (Dec 7-8)
East Bay
- Oakland Ballet Company’s Graham Lusting’s The Nutcracker is presented by the Oakland (Dec 21-22)
- At the Nutcracker by Berkeley Ballet Theater, kids are invited onstage to meet the dancers during the Sugar Plum Fairy Party after certain performances! (December 20-22)
Cut-Your-Own-Tree Farms in the San Francisco Bay Area
South Bay
- Santa’s Tree Farm has a cute little Santa Village to check out before or after you cut your own tree!
- Lemos Farm is a hit in our household all fall and winter long. Cut your own trees! This place is just cool with train rides through the Christmas Tree field with holiday decorations all around. Also available are a petting zoo and pony rides! Open on the weekends.
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- Santa’s Tree Farm Village HMB
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- Looking for our tree at Santa’s Tree Farm
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- We found our tree! (Santa’s Tree Farm)
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- Santa’s Tree Farm Village in HMB
North Bay
- Grandma Buddy’s Christmas Trees in Sebastopol has over 10,000 trees to choose from. This farm includes a Victorian farmhouse, a barn, and a creek with bridges with miniature Christmas village.
- Frosty Mountain Tree Farm in Sebastopol has a tractor hayride, and picnic areas to fuel you up after some hard sawing. They also have an old red barn with Santa’s Workshop and Mrs. Klaus’ Kitchen with farm animals!
East Bay
- Castro Valley Christmas Tree Farm is a perfect “woods” in the middle of East Bay. It was started in 1965 by a UC Berkeley Forestry professor!
Christmas in San Francisco is a magical time. I love to capture the pure joy on kids’ faces when they get to spend time with their families doing fun and festive activities. If you are in the area and would love to have these moments photographed to keep forever, then check out Emily Jenks Photography! Mention this post to receive a 10% discount too!
New Year’s Events in the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco
- Ring in the New Year by taking a swing at a giant 2,100 pound 16th century Japanese temple bell at the Asian Art Museum on New Year’s Eve! First come, first served.
- Polar Bear Skate at the Union Square Ice Rink! Wear your favorite bathing suit and go ice skatin! 🙂
South Bay
- Noon Year’s Eve at Hiller Aviation Museum will bring you a balloon drop at noon with live music, activities, and face painting! (Check out their airplanes too!)
- Noon Year’s Even across Time Zones Ball Drop at Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose gives you lots of opportunities to say “Happy New Year!”
North Bay
- Bay Area Discovery Museum Noon Year’s Eve Party will have a ball drop at noon, a magic show, Zumba, dancing, and art activities.
- Happy New Year, Charlie Brown (10 am-4 pm) at the Charles M Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa
East Bay
- Chabot Space & Science Center Global Celebration honors the New Year from all over the world! (11am-4pm)
- Noon Year’s Eve at Albany Community Center is for kids under 11 years old so they can celebrate at noon with music, crafts, and more! (11am-1pm)
- New Year’s Eve Daytime Party at Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley (ball drops at 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm)
- Swim into the New Year at King Pool in Berkeley! (Jan 1st)
Chinese/Lunar New Year’s Events in the San Francisco Bay Area
Many of these events are still being updated/added to calendars. Check back later for more info!
San Francisco
- Chinese New Year Red Envelope Craft at the Sunset Branch Library.
- Starting Mid-February, the Official Chinese New Year celebrations of San Francisco starts (flower market, basketball jam, Miss Chinatown, Community Fair, and Chinese New Year run)! Go check out their website!
- Lion Dancers at various San Francisco Library branches.
- Soak up the Chinese New Year ambiance with animals at the San Francisco Zoo Lunar New Year Celebration!
- Celebrate the year of the dog with a show of bands, folk dance, singing, instrument and fashion show at the San Francisco Public Library Main Branch!
- Asian Art Museum Lunar New Year Celebration will have FREE museum admission with dancers, musicians and storytellers along with acrobatics, lion dance drumming! Check their schedule before you go because it’s an all-day event with a packed schedule!
- San Francisco Symphony Chinese New Year celebration isn’t specifically for kids, but it’s at 3pm, so it should be a more casual affair.
South Bay
- Traditional crafts (brush painting and paper folding), music and dance performances at Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose.
- Art-making activities, cultural demonstrations and live performances at the San Jose Museum of Art. Purchase tickets in advance to skip the line at the door!
- Lion dance, photos with the Lion, kids crafts and red envelopes with gift cards at the Chinese New Year at Pacific Commons in Fremont.
- There is a free event inside the San Mateo County History Museum with Lion Dancers, Red Panda Acrobats, Martial Arts, and Kids Arts & Crafts at the Redwood City Lunar New Year celebration.
North Bay
- An action-packed day at the Bay Area Discovery Museum including martial arts demonstration, lion dance, make-your-own sweet wontons, Chinese games and activities, a Lion Dance Costume petting zoo, and so much more!
East Bay
- Oakland Asian Cultural Center’s Lunar New Year Celebration usually has music, dance performances, arts & crafts and more!
- Lunar New Year Weekend at the Children’s Fairyland in Oakland will have family lore and folktales from China!
- Albany – Lunar New Year Celebration and Parade and Performances will have dancers, Folk Music, magician and martial arts! Free admission.
- 4th Street Berkeley Lunar New Year festival will have treat giveaways at shos, martial arts performances and lion dance!
- A fortune-filled family-friendly event at the Oakland Museum of California! Lucky lion and dragon dances, demonstrations and hands-on activities all day long like how to drink Gong Fu tea and make Vietnamese spring rolls. “Make a Tibetan prayer flag with Thangka painting master Jamyong Singye, and create your own Bok Jumoni, a traditional Korean lucky bag with artist Youngmin Lee. Don’t miss a chance to play I Ching games and win prizes with School of Yimutology, and to get your fortune told!”
Rainy Day Activities in the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco’s winter months are usually during our rainy season too (unless we are going through a drought). There are way too many fun rainy day activities (e.g. indoor places) to list here, so check out this list if you are visiting/in SF during the rainy season!
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There you have it!
This should keep you busy this winter. 🙂 Have you done any of these? Did we miss anything? Let us know what you think!
Winter Holiday Activities in San Francisco Bay Area with Kids by Henry and Andrew’s Guide. Calendar of all the holiday activities in the San Francisco Bay Area!
Winter Holiday Activities in San Francisco Bay Area with Kids by Henry and Andrew’s Guide. Calendar of all the holiday activities in the San Francisco Bay Area!
Want to know more about things to do in the San Francisco Bay Area? Read more here:
- 30+ Weekend Getaways and Day Trips from San Francisco
- 100+ RAINY & FOGGY DAY INDOOR ACTIVITIES IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA FOR KIDS
- 60+ kid-friendly wineries in and near San Francisco
- TOP 10+ THINGS TO DO THIS FALL IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA WITH KIDS
Winter Holiday Activities in San Francisco Bay Area with Kids by Henry and Andrew’s Guide. Calendar of all the holiday activities in the San Francisco Bay Area!
Winter Holiday Activities in San Francisco Bay Area with Kids by Henry and Andrew’s Guide. Calendar of all the holiday activities in the San Francisco Bay Area!
Winter Holiday Activities in San Francisco Bay Area with Kids by Henry and Andrew’s Guide. Calendar of all the holiday activities in the San Francisco Bay Area!
Winter Holiday Activities in San Francisco Bay Area with Kids by Henry and Andrew’s Guide. Calendar of all the holiday activities in the San Francisco Bay Area!
Wow!!!!! What an extensive and informative list!!!!!!
Thank you! I’m glad you found it useful.
You totally rocked this post! I have only been to San Francisco once and it was during the holidays. What a great time I had! I am looking for a place to go during the my end of year shut down. With all the ideas you have given me in here, San Francisco sounds like the right choice.
Thanks!! I’m glad you liked it. Hope you do come back!
Wow who knew there were so many things to do in the Bay !
I’m going to pass this on to a few friends in California.
Great work
Thank you so much! Believe it or not, there were so many more things! I couldn’t list it all. It’s going to be a busy holiday season for us!
That’s a nice read.enjoyed it
This is such a lovely list. Sometimes it is hard to figure out activities to keep the whole family busy during break, and that can be difficult. It would be great to see lists like this for other cities!
Seriously fantastic list. I have bookmarked this, if we are ever in San Francisco during the winter months this will be our go to guide!
These are great tips. Love your website. Keep the tips coming.
Thank you! That’s a great idea! We are planning on creating more 102 Famtastic Lists and it will be great to start incorporating other cities!
That is absolutely great to hear! Hope you make it out here soon!
Thank you so much! That is so kind of you!
This is a fantastic list of activities to do in the San Francisco Bay area. I will have to take my family on a tour!
Awesome, I just needed these informations!!!
Well you defiantly make me want to visit San francisco this winter now, I just don’t know how I will fit it all in though!
You are making me wish that I lived in that area so that I could take advantage of such a detailed and fun list! Come do one for the Denver area!
What a fun and informative post! I wish I lived there so I could enjoy some of the things you mentioned! Loved that you broke it into sections too, very helpful.
What an extensive list of activities! I wish that I lived in the area so that I could enjoy them- perhaps I’ll need to plan a trip! So festive!
I love it! Such a comprehensive list. I love the Bay Area but have never been there around Christmas. I can only imagine how amazing it all looks at that time of year! There’s just so much to do anyway, let alone Christmas events!
What an incredible guide! so many activities to do!! So many families will have fun with this!
This was so informative and such a great list! Thank you for sharing!
This is such a great list of things to do in San Fransisco!!I haven’t been there yet, and I do not have children but I can’t wait to check out the places you listed.
This is an awesome guide for traveling with your kids…who knew there was so much to do in the San Francisco/Bay area. Great info!!
I wish I lived there to take all of this in! Making a visit during the holidays is now on my bucket list thanks to you! A great informative piece.
Thank you so much for all of the information-if we travel out this way during the holiday season i will reference this blog for sure! thank you for taking the time to put this fun travel guide together!
I am so glad you found this useful!
I’m glad you found it useful and hope you can check this off of your bucketlist one year!
Believe it or not, there’s so much more! Glad you found it useful!
All of these are so much fun without kids! Many of these have been a tradition of mine for a while!
Glad you found it informative!
Thank you! I’m glad you think so!
I know!! It makes my job easy to create such a comprehensive list like this with so many options!
Yes! Hope you can make it out and try some of these out!
So glad you found it helpful! I contemplated on the format a lot, so that means a lot. Thank you!
Haha I bet Denver gets festive too! The snow just adds to it. No fake snow needed there like we have here!
Haha even for us, it will be like 3 activities in a day. Hope we can do it over the next decade! lol
So glad you found it useful!
Yes! They will love it!
Oh my goodness, this is quite a list! I think you have covered everything here to make for some great outings with the kids! I have never been to San Francisco but from the looks of this list is I visit I need to bring my kids along.
Love this! San Fran was my favorite when we visited the area, i definitely want to go back now after this
Love this! San Fran was my favorite when we visited the area, i definitely want to go back now after this. What a wonderful and useful thing to put together.
So many fun activities to do! Makes me want to hop on a plane and go to San Francisco for the holidays.
Wow, this list is so awesome! This could literally fill your entire winter with activities in San Fransisco. I’ll have to share this with my brother and sister in law, I’m sure they would love checking these places out with their daughters.
Yes!! Let us know if you do, we will be happy to give you more tips!
Yay! Yes, come back!
Yes, please do!!
Glad you found it useful! Hope you can come so you can check some of these out too!
There is so much to do in San Francisco during the Holidays! I am Jealous! Now can you make one for me in Park City 😉 kidding… kind of!
Haha we would love to expand to other cities! Park City much be gorgeous in the holiday season!!